FORMER prime minister Patrick Manning has questioned the honesty of Government's statements of a death threat against Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

"The Government has, in a very short time developed a reputation for being unable to speak the truth. They are strangers to the truth and, in fact now we, and I have great difficulty in believing anything the government of Trinidad and Tobago says," he said yesterday.

Manning made the statement yesterday during a press conference called at his constituency office on Coffee Street, San Fernando.

On Wednesday security forces were placed on high alert after it was disclosed there was an alleged assassination plot against Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Local Government Minister Chandresh Sharma and Minister of Housing and the Environment Dr Roodal Moonilal.

Several people have since been taken into custody in connection with the alleged plot.

Manning questioned the government's claims as he made reference to the "historical antecedence of this Government since it came into office a year-and-a-half ago".

He spoke of a series of events which have arisen since the People's Partnership took leadership following the May 24, 2010 elections including government ministers' responses to issues surrounding the qualifications of the former director of the Security Intelligence Agency Reshmi Ramnarine, the firing of television host Fazeer Mohammed, repairs that were said were needed at the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) and a missing piano from the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's.

He also spoke of the Partnership's promise to pay $3,000 pension to people over the age of 60 years and also the government saying the country was bankrupt.

"It is now clear that no credibility whatsoever has to be placed on the Prime Minister's statement and to the extent there is any basis for anybody at all indicating that there is some threat to somebody, then it is a matter for the security services and it is a matter that the security services have to investigate and in due course bring to justice anybody found culpable," Manning said.

He said he received death threats several times while he was prime minister and asked about his reaction to these Manning said, "The mere fact that you didn't know about it, could tell you what my reaction was."

Like the present Leader of the Opposition Dr Keith Rowley, Manning has also questioned the silence of the Minister of National Security Brigadier John Sandy on Persad-Bissessar's allegation of death threats.

Sandy responded yesterday to questions from the Sunday Express.

Manning said he believes the government is using the allegation of death threats to have the State of Emergency extended.

But should the Partnership go to Parliament in a bid to have this done, the People's National Movement (PNM) will not support the move.

"It the government comes to the Parliament with any intention of extending the State of Emergency, I say after the distinguished leader of the opposition, the PNM will not support it, the PNM will not support it and I, my dear friends, I may have something to say on that matter, let them come," Manning said.

He said the government can have the majority to have the State of Emergency extended but said, "We will have much to say, we will oppose it vehemently."

Manning described the State of Emergency called on August 21 and expected to end on December 5 an "abysmal failure".

He said he believed it was called to prevent the trade unions from engaging in protest actions.